Saturday, 18 January 2014

You're probably wondering about the title of this post. I have been busy crocheting scarves, beanies and cowls despite the insanely hot weather we have been having. My excuse is I am preparing for a cold winter. I have been actually trying to make things I have pinned on Pinterest (trying to justify my Pinterest usage).

I made a few changes as this yarn is about 14ply, so I only used one strand and I made it about 10 chains longer. I have a lovely model!

Next the kids wanted a big beanie that covered their ears and was a bit slouchy. They found some yarn that took their fancy and so I have made the first one for Amelie and Aurelia's and Felix's are still in the works.

Finally I had been lusting after a large scarf I had seen on Pinterest and was so sad to see it was only for sale from Renaissance Dying in the French Pyrenees and the way the Australian dollar is and the cost of postage it became just too expensive to justify. Then a little web surfing one day accidentally uncovered a place in Australia that had two kits in stock at a reasonable price, with free postage (even better). So now in my hot little hands I have the whole kit with 75 different shades of very fine wool for Bohemian Rhapsody.

Saturday, 11 January 2014

Wow, last week saw me make the biggest finish ever! When I put the last stitch in I laid it out on the coffee table and gazed at it for some time. Four years of stitching and I can finally say Hannah Lancaster is done.

Design: Hannah Lancaster Sampler

Designer: The Porcupine Collection

Fabric: 40ct Newcastle linen - Ecru

Thread: DMC

Late last year, as I was playing with my stash, I decided it was time to start stitching some of my kits to make room to better organise my stash a little better. So here is my first piece to be completed.

Design: Barnabee's Bride

Designer: Just Nan

Fabric: 32ct linen - opalescent white

Thread: DMC, Thread Gatherer, Kreinik

Finish: Needleroll

I also thought I would show you what my Mother gave me for Christmas last year. It's a hand beaded scissor case and needle holder and a beautiful silver thimble.

Tuesday, 7 January 2014

As many of you would know in October we had some of the worst fires the Blue Mountains had seen in 40 years. My DH was out almost everyday for two weeks fighting fires. Sadly his sister lost her home during this fire. She is doing much better and has purchased a new home and is settling into that with the family.

I was fortunate to get out and fight fires on two night shifts while my DH stayed home and looked after the children. It had been many years since I had last been out on a fire truck, but those 12 hour shifts were a blissful escape from my day to day life. (PS. That's me closest to the camera in the bottom photo)

At the end of November the family took a trip to Tasmania for my cousin's wedding. Both of the girls were flower girls and they looked so beautiful. We then took a few days of sightseeing before heading back home. Enjoy the photos!